Huntsville gazette., 1887-11-26

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Many of his friends were enlisting and
urged him to do so. He longed to join
them, but the care of his mother and
sister had rested upon him since his
fathers death. and that had deferred
him until now.
He finished his harvesting and then
laid the matter before them
Il have wanted to join the army
ever since the war began, and fee.
that l caunot delay longer / have
made every arrangement for your
comfort that can. Simon will work
the farm, and you, Jennie, will take
care Of mother, and surely the war
will soon he over now, and | can come
home maybe with shoulder-straps"
He had spoken rapidly, anxious to
''get it over with"
AT his first words his widowed
mother had covered her eyes with her
hands, as if to shut out the sight and
thought of his departure, but as he fin
ished she raised her head, and solemn
ly said; Il have seen that you are
restless, and guessed the reason. We
can not well spare you, but God for
bid, my son, that | should stand in
the way Of what you think your
duty. May God have you in His tender
keeping and bring you back to us.
After moments silence his sister
spoke impulsively:
.sI CON roA Eoht bpt T arm 4oJ-o vow.
place at home and let you go. / can
manage splcndidly. You will see |
will prove model farmer, and that /
am of some account if / am only
girl"
''Bravely said my little sister," and
he bent his tall form to kiss his pet
and companion. we viii both serve
our country, you here and l on the
field"
Now, it must be confessed that, not
withstanding her courageous words.
there were times when Jenne's heart
failed her, and the bitter tears flowed
as she thought of her darling brother,
who was almost her other self, exposed
to the dangers of war; but the tears
were shed in secret, and her bright
eyes and cheerful voice kept their in
spiration for him, and he never guessed
how hard struggle it was to let him
60
question much if the soldier hus-
bands and brothers of that time ever
did realize that the sacrifice was not
all on their side. SO Walter left home,
looking every inch soldier in his new
uniform. bearing with him the bless
ings of his mother and sister. not to
mention more tangible proofs of their
devotion TO him. The history of those
months and years are public record,
but there is unwritten history of hero
ism in quiet homes, where the actors
are no unworthy companions of our
brave soldiers
Things moved on in the Connell
household in much the usual way for
a while Simon did his work well and
Walter wrote regularly; still they
missed him at every turn and he was
constantly in their thoughts.
Every monent of time possible was
spent by Mrs. Connell in knitting socks
for her own and other soldier boys
One morning Jennie said, as she fin
ished her jellymaking for that day:
1.-The most of this goes to Walter, but
/ can do SO little for the sick in the
hospitals, | am going to see if l can't
get some others to join me, and we
csn send nice contribution to the
sanitary commission. "
Jennie sailed forth and her first call
was on Miss Pipkins, rich spinster
who owned d fine place, and whose
pears and peaches were coveted by
small boys far and near. Just as Jen-
ME reached the front door, she APP
pearei Al the rear door flushed and